Our resources are here to support learning, creativity, and professional development
Art for Induction is a resource designed for newly arrived, asylum seeking and refugee children, to allow them to switch off from the pressures of school and the changes of a new environment. The activities help children to relax and give them a break from the pressures of the school day.
We’ve undertaken research around returning to a school environment after the extended absence from Covid, and found that children may be experiencing similar worries and anxieties such as:
The activities included in the pack are designed to reduce stress and help the children relax, and many, if not all of the pack would be really useful in helping your pupils to readjust to the school environment. Either for individual students who need additional support or as a full class activity.
Art for Induction was commissioned by Rochdale Borough Council
A 2021 Cartwheel Arts project supported and funded by Rochdale Borough Council, The Ragdoll Foundation, and The National Lottery Community Fund resulted in a co-produced resource for 2-4 year olds, their families and carers to use at home to get them school ready.
The Little Artists project worked with 16 children from 15 families to develop an exciting art resource. Participating families were drawn from three communities: refugees and asylum-seekers; Gypsy, Roma, and Traveller families; and cared-for children and their carers. There were 24 sessions in total.
The project is part of Rochdale Borough Council’s commitment to school readiness by supporting young people and their families to increase confidence, improve wellbeing, tackle inequalities and get children comfortable in an informal learning environment using engaging arts activities.
Cartwheel Arts utilised a variety of art practices and worked with experienced art practitioners who provided visual arts, music, forestry and theatre. The activities included signing, counting, group play, making, adventure, story-telling, painting and engaging with nature.
Councillor Rachel Massey, cabinet member for children’s services and education at Rochdale Borough Council, said: “Little Artists has provided families with a supportive environment to socialise and learn while having fun. All of the families have been overwhelmed by this dedicated project to support them; they have been part of a team and they are very proud of the legacy which they have helped create. We’re passionate and committed about getting young children school ready to help boost their outcomes and this project is testament to the hard work and creativity we’re putting into this.”
All parents felt that their own wellbeing and their children’s wellbeing had definitely increased throughout the project and everyone felt that they were able to contribute to the development of the packs. Parents also reported that confidence had increased, wellbeing had improved and new skills had been learnt, for them and their children. One parent noted: “He was shy and hesitant at the beginning but is now confident to start nursery.”
150 packs were given out to families across the borough. They contained materials such as shakers, paints, posters, paper, templates, a bi-lingual book, bubbles, glue, tape, chalks, stickers and scissors so that they can take part in these developmental activities at home.
One of the parents taking part in the project gave positive feedback in Spanish, their first language: “Los materiales fueron muy útiles para la elaboracion de pinturas en papel y de decorar la bolsa de tela” – Translation: The materials were very useful for the elaboration of paintings on paper and for decorating the cloth bag.
Becky Smyllie, a previous project coordinator for Cartwheel Arts, said: “This project has been magical. The feedback from parents has been so positive. We had many unexpected outcomes too due to the dedicated support from Rochdale Borough Council staff who sorted issues arising outside of the sessions. Working with these families has been an absolute pleasure”
Based on the overwhelmingly positive feedback from Cartwheel Arts continue to offer regular sessions for 2-4year olds and their parents or carers.
Please get in touch if you would like more information on our current Little Artist sessions
Parents and carers across the borough can now download the pack for free use at home (including free recordings) using the links on this page!
On World Kindness Day, people are encouraged to show kindness to one another.Whether it’s helping someone out with their chores, taking the time to ask someone how they’re doing, or complimenting someone, we all have kindness in us.
We put together some fun and simple activities, designed to help people carry out acts of kindness and recognise the kindness they already display every day.
